Quail Canyon Special Event Area / Track

Update (December 21, 2023): California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division is investing in the infrastructure at Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area’s (SVRA) Quail Canyon Special Event Area to repair a water well failure that has temporarily closed the event area. This is an ongoing commitment to continue to provide high quality outdoor recreation for the off-highway vehicle (OHV) community.

The infrastructure repairs at Quail Canyon Special Event Area will be a multiphase process starting with subsurface water finding techniques. Grooming of the current layout of the motocross, grand prix, and pee wee tracks are essential to ensure the safety of OHV riders at the facility. State Parks is exploring short-term changes to the motocross track that will require less grooming and other solutions that will allow the Quail Canyon Special Event Area to open and provide safe OHV recreation. These measures could allow the motocross track to open while some phases of infrastructure repairs are in progress. 

OHV recreationists continue to have access to over 130 miles of trails and a motorcycle practice track within the park.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments on the area, please send them to GreatBasin.District@parks.ca.gov. Please be aware that we may not respond to all emails.

California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration, and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is the Quail Canyon Special Event Area closed?
  The Quail Canyon Special Event Area is closed due to a water well failure that occurred in late September of 2022. The water well provided water for restrooms and grooming the tracks.
• How long will this special event area be closed?
  Park staff are working on resolving the water well issue impacting the Quail Canyon Special Event Area. Currently, there is no timeframe for reopening the event area as the department is looking to award contracts for the work, applications for permits submitted and approved, and contractors scheduled with the necessary supplies to remediate the water well failure. Updates on the timeframe to resolve the water well issue will be posted to this website as more information becomes available.
• Why can’t the Quail Canyon motocross, grand prix, and pee wee tracks be open without being groomed?
  It is unsafe for riders to use the track areas without grooming the tracks. Water is needed to groom those tracks.
• Is there an alternative area where special events can be held at Hungry Valley SVRA?
  The Honey Valley Group Camp can be reserved for special events through ReserveCalifornia. Reservations can be made online or by phone at (800) 444-7275.
• Will a new well be installed at Hungry Valley SVRA?
  Yes, State Parks is working on a hydrology report to locate a sustainable water supply. 
• Why can’t California State Parks pay for water to be brought in as a temporary solution?
  The cost to bring in water as a temporary solution is cost prohibitive.
• How did the current well break down?
  The current well was producing large amounts of gravel, which caused the well to collapse in on itself.
• Why can’t the current well be fixed?
  The water well is unable to be fixed in its current state of failure.
• What is the process for drilling a new well?
  A hydrology report is needed to determine the viability of the aquifer to supply the necessary water to the Quail Canyon Special Event Area. California State Parks staff is leading this major capital outlay project.
• Why is the track open for some special events?
  The jumps were temporarily removed from the motocross track to create a closed course flat track for a special event to accommodate beginning riders. A flat track does not have the same grooming requirements as a motocross track.
• What are the next steps? 
  State Parks is currently working on the hydrology report which is set to begin in early 2024 to locate possible drill sites for a sustainable water supply for the future. Once the report is completed, depending on the findings, a CEQA/PEF may be required as well as permits from multiple state agencies. Additionally, the department will need to create a bid for vendors/contractors for the related scope of work based on all studies performed. Updates on the process will be made on this website as they become available.

California State Parks and Hungry Valley SVRA thanks you for your patience and continued support as we try to resolve this issue.